News

Totals 137 scrimmage yards

Johnson carried 18 times for 82 yards and caught five of seven targets for 55 yards with a touchdown during Sunday's 27-27 tie with the Lions.

Analysis: Johnson was contained early, along with the rest of a Cardinals offense that totaled just 53 yards in the first half. He hit his stride in the final two periods, however, and finished with an impressive 137 scrimmage yards against a respectable Lions defense. Johnson's receiving touchdown was a thing of beauty, as he ran down the seam and outleaped a defender to snare the ball in the end zone. While this productive debut was exactly what fantasy owners wanted to see from Johnson, next Sunday's…read more

Published: Sun, Sep 8 at 10:01pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Improves in preseason Week 3

Johnson carried the ball nine times for 34 yards in the team's third preseason game against the Vikings on Saturday. He also added two receptions for seven yards.

Analysis: Johnson didn't do anything particularly impressive but accomplished enough to improve upon his first two exhibitions in Kliff Kingsbury's offensive system. His longest gain came on the final play of the first quarter, when he rushed the ball for 12 yards. More positively, the Cardinals offense was more effective as a whole, creating some optimism that Johnson can return to his dynamic form as both a receiver and rusher out of the backfield.

Published: Sat, Aug 24 at 4:14pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Bottled up in preseason loss

Johnson ran for six yards on four carries and lost three yards on a reception during Thursday's 33-26 loss to Oakland.

Analysis: On paper, the combination of Johnson and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray should be tantalizing, with Murray's rushing threat potentially opening up lanes for Johnson. That wasn't the case Thursday as Murray was often knocked off his mark and Johnson was smothered for losses on two of his five touches. It's a new offense and new quarterback in Arizona, so it might take a bit to work out the kinks. The potential remains, however, for Johnson to have a resurgent season with teams worried about…read more

Published: Thu, Aug 15 at 9:10pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Optimistic about Kingsbury's scheme

Johnson is excited to work out of shotgun formations in new coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. "I actually love that," Johnson said. "I did that in college. That's all we did in college is the gun, a read-option-type thing. I think it really opens up more space for me and makes me able to read the defense a little bit more."

Analysis: Johnson won't be a forgotten player during draft season, but his lackluster showing in 2018 (3.6 yards per carry, just five games with 100-plus yards from scrimmage) and a lost campaign in 2017 could make him a bargain. As mentioned, his experience with Kingsbury's favored scheme may help him harken back to his 2016 breakout, when he cranked out 2,118 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns. Perhaps the only question yet to be answered is who will be directing the Cardinals offense this season.…read more

Published: Wed, Apr 10 at 5:56pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Seeking to bounce back

Johnson will be looking to bounce back under a new coaching staff in 2019, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: During Steve Wilks' one-year run as the head coach in Arizona, the Cardinals cycled through Mike McCoy and Byron Leftwich at offensive coordinator, but neither helped Johnson return to form after a lost season in 2017 due to a dislocated left wrist. Overall, Johnson managed just five outings with 100-plus yards from scrimmage and earned five or more targets on six occasions last year after racking up 15 and 14, respectively, during the course of his 2016 breakout. The new coaching staff under…read more

Published: Thu, Jan 17 at 11:15am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Contained by Seahawks front seven

Johnson rushed for 62 yards on 17 carries during Sunday's 27-24 loss to Seattle. He also caught three of his four targets, managing six receiving yards on the afternoon.

Analysis: Johnson has been tremendously inefficient as a rusher of late, never exceeding 3.7 yards per carry over any of his past six starts and accounting for just two total touchdowns on 134 touches since Week 11. Following a 2017 season lost to a wrist injury, he's been as durable as any back in the league throughout this 2018 season by averaging a robust 16.1 attempts per game, while fielding north of 300 offensive touches for the second time in his career. If the Cardinals front office can find a…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 30 at 6:08pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Salvages day with receiving score

Johnson rushed 10 times for just 35 yards but brought in one of five targets for a 32-yard touchdown reception in the Cardinals' 31-9 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Analysis: As his final numbers implied, Johnson couldn't get much of anything going on the ground, but a 32-yard touchdown reception on a throw off the arm of Larry Fitzgerald in the second quarter prevented his fantasy day from being a total washout. A 2018 season that held great promise as a comeback year for Johnson is finishing on a down note, as he's now failed to eclipse 3.7 yards per carry in five consecutive games and has scored just once over that span. Johnson has still flashed his pre-2017…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 23 at 5:23pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Snaps scoreless streak

Johnson rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries during Sunday's 40-14 loss to the Falcons. He added 68 yards on three catches.

Analysis: Sunday started about as well as you could have hoped for Johnson. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen hit him for gains of 40 and 15 yards during the Cardinals' opening drive before Johnson punched it in from one yard out, breaking a four-game scoreless streak. A Rosen pick-six on the next Arizona possession and some big chunk plays from the Falcons put the game out of reach shortly thereafter. It's a credit to Johnson that he's managed to average nearly 90 total yards per game for what has been a…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 16 at 2:44pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Good to go

Johnson (quad) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Johnson returned to a limited practice Thursday and upgraded to full participation Friday. He's ready for his usual busy role against a leaky Atlanta defense that's allowed a league-high 97 receptions to running back, not to mention 4.8 yards per carry and 15 total touchdowns. Of course, Johnson managed just 61 scrimmage yards last week in a favorable home matchup with the Lions.

Published: Fri, Dec 14 at 11:59am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Puts in limited practice

Johnson (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: The Cardinals withheld Johnson from Wednesday's session with the quad issue, but coach Steve Wilks said afterward that he expected the running back to suit up Sunday in Atlanta. Johnson's return to practice a day later, albeit in a limited capacity, seemingly supports Wilks' optimism. Johnson would put to rest any concern about his Week 15 availability by practicing fully Friday, but even another limited showing would have him trending in the right direction.

Published: Thu, Dec 13 at 1:27pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Back at practice Thursday

Johnson (quadriceps) returned to practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Despite Johnson sitting out Wednesday's session, coach Steve Wilks told Urban that the running back is expected to play Sunday in Atlanta. Taking part Thursday is a step in the right direction, but Johnson may have some kinks to work out regarding his injured quad, which could result in a limited listing.

Published: Thu, Dec 13 at 10:31am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Misses practice with quad injury

Johnson was held out of practice Wednesday with a quadriceps injury but coach Steve Wilks expects the running back to play in Sunday's game at Atlanta, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Johnson handled his usual workload in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Lions, taking 15 carries for 49 yards and eight receptions for 12 yards while handling his largest snap share (89 percent) since Week 6. Rookie fourth-round pick Chase Edmonds is next in line for the lead role if Johnson doesn't end up playing against a shaky Atlanta defense.

Published: Wed, Dec 12 at 12:08pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Shut down by Lions

Johnson rushed 15 times for 49 yards and caught eight of 10 targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 17-3 loss to Detroit. He fumbled once, but it was recovered.

Analysis: The Lions were well prepared to defend the dual-threat running back on a Josh Rosen-led offense that doesn't pose much of a threat through the air. While the Lions have done well against opposing running backs ever since defensive tackle Damon Harrison came to town, Johnson still disappointed his fantasy owners with just 3.3 yards per carry -- especially since he's now averaged over four yards per attempt in three of 13 games this season. No longer the reliable fantasy asset he once was,…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 9 at 5:11pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Has two potential scores vultured

Johnson garnered 69 yards on 20 carries and added a 3-yard catch on two targets in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Packers.

Analysis: All season, Johnson has been finding new ways to frustrate the fantasy owners who spent a premium pick on him. This time around, he got two scores vultured by rookie backup Chase Edmonds (six yards and eight yards), even though Johnson finished with 20 carries to Edmonds' five. A silver lining ahead of Arizona's Week 14 clash with the Lions is that Johnson's averaging a robust 23.5 touches over the past four games.

Published: Sun, Dec 2 at 3:18pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Records 79 scrimmage yards

Johnson carried 17 times for 63 yards and caught two passes for an additional 13 yards during Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Johnson averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and hardly made an impact as a receiver, halting the momentum he had built over recent weeks. The Cardinals were simply outmatched on the offensive side of the ball against a strong defense, which made matters worse by keying in on Johnson. He continues to see a full workload on a weekly basis and will look to bounce back next Sunday against the Packers.

Published: Sun, Nov 25 at 5:34pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

New season high in rushing

Analysis: Johnson enjoyed his greatest rushing output since Week 5 of 2016, as he garnered a season-high 25 carries in a losing effort against the Raiders. Since Byron Leftwich assumed Arizona's offensive coordinator position in Week 8, Johnson hasn't been used with as much frequency as he was when Mike McCoy was calling the shots, but he's certainly been utilized more effectively. In three showings since the coaching change, he's averaged 145.7 offensive yards per contest, compared to 71.6 yards per…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 18 at 4:32pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Exceeds 100 yards in second straight game

Johnson racked up 98 rushing yards and one touchdown on 21 carries, adding seven catches for 85 yards and a receiving score during Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: With 283 total yards in his most recent outings against San Francisco and Kansas City, Johnson has posted his greatest two-game offensive output since Week 12 and Week 13 of the 2016 season. The last time Johnson had both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same outing came in Week 12 of that 2016 All-Pro season as well. That is, until he caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Josh Rosen on a wheel route in the first quarter, and later plunged his way into the end zone for a one-yard…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 11 at 1:36pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com